Sport

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Town Ladies U13s 3 Merley Sports Cobham 2

Sherborne Town Ladies U13s completed a brilliant treble, winning the league cup against a good Merley side, having already been crowned league champions and securing victory in the County Cup. Justin Walbrin’s team, on an incredible 25-game unbeaten streak, won the Dorset Youth League Division 1 by an astonishing 10 pts, and beat league runners-up, Poole Town, 4-0 in their recent County Cup final at the Sunseeker International County Ground at Hamworthy. The U13 team has been together for three years and has developed into a tight unit, who will now look to add more success at U14 level. While paying tribute to the team’s achievement, Senior Ladies’ team manager Jemma Tewkesbury, was also keen to recognise the progress of the club’s teams in other age groups. Jemma said: “Sherborne Town Ladies U13s were formed in 2019. Their first two seasons were played as 9 v 9 and were sadly badly disrupted by the pandemic, but it has been the transition to 11 v 11 that has seen the best from this group of girls. “Sherborne Town Ladies U11s have become a great team who work together in every game whilst ensuring all are having fun. “An amazing 80%-90% attend training on a Friday evening and 90%-100% attending match days on a Saturday morning. “This shows the commitment from all the girls within the team and not forgetting their parents and carers who are the best support a team could ask for. The girls had their success in the League Cup this year, getting to the semi-final, only to miss out on the final by a single goal. Every player played their part and commitment could not be faulted. “We are proud of all the U11s this year and wish to improve and bring more success in the new season. “We also have our U9s who have completed their first season as a team together. We’re looking forward to many more with our young Zebras.” The club is keen to hear from players of all ages and is holding open days in the close season.

WE DID IT: Sherborne Town Ladies U13s with winners' medals after their cup triumph

WHAT A TEAM: The U13s after their league cup win against Merley and, below, the mini Zebras celebrate another goal in their treblewinning season Pictures: BRENT SMITH

Unbeaten U13s complete a league and cups treble

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Town Ladies 4 Weymouth Women 0

Sherborne Town Ladies rounded off a successful season with victory in their County Cup Final at the Sunseeker International County Ground in Hamworthy, comfortably seeing off a spirited Weymouth team. Three goals in five minutes either side of half time effectively won the match for Jemma Tewkesbury’s side, who produced a dominant display and would not have been flattered had they won by a greater margin. The Terras, fresh from being crowned Dorset Women’s League champions, struggled to compete with Sherborne’s superior passing and movement, and goals from Liv Watts, Gemma Mountain and two from Kelly Snook, saw them home with room to spare. Despite bossing possession in the first half, the Zebras had to wait until the 43rd minute before taking the lead, courtesy of Liv Watts’ fine strike. Until then, the Weymouth goal had led a charmed life with Weymouth keeper Kate Osment producing a good save from Watts’ spot kick, and Jamie Bland and Watts both being denied by the woodwork. With the deadlock broken, Sherborne found time to double their advantage before half time, with Snook firing home superbly after Osment had saved her initial shot, despite the attention of several Weymouth defenders. Shortly after the restart, Mountain made it 3-0 with a cool finish having outpaced the Terras’ defence, effectively ending any prospect of a comeback, before Snook bagged her second on 62 minutes with a sweet strike into the corner. The game finished 4-0 with the Zebras missing opportunities to add to their tally, while Emily Hall produced a couple of smart saves to preserve a clean sheet at the other end. Jemma said: “It’s great to win a trophy and testament to the hard work that the girls have put in this season. Our focus next season will be to challenge for promotion and we will be working hard over the summer to get our squad ready for next season. We have two open days and are hoping to add some talented players who can develop and help us to achieve this goal.” n Sherborne Town Ladies finished in third place in the South West Womens Football League Premier Division, with their 3-2 victory over champions AFC St Austell in their penultimate match clearly underlining their title credentials for next season. To support Jemma Tewkesbury’s ambitious plans, the club is looking to recruit players for the development squad who will compete in Tier 7. The aim is to develop players who can progress and help to support the first team’s drive to achieve promotion to national level, tiers 3 and 4. The club is hosting two open events – on Sunday, June 5 and Tuesday, July 5 – with all players aged 16 and over welcome to attend on August 31.. The club is looking for commercial support, with opportunities for businesses to promote themselves through kit and matchday sponsorship. For more details on the open days or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the club at sherbornetownladies@gm ail.com

UP FOR THE CUP: Sherborne Town Ladies lift the Dorset County Cup after beating Weymouth Ladies 4-0 in the final at Hamworthy Picture: BRENT SMITH

Four-midable! Zebras in romp to lift county cup

Sport Doing things the right way, that’s

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The Club Captain of Martinstown Cricket Club has been talking to the West Dorset Magazine about the team’s title aspirations, and how the club’s investment in youth has been instrumental in their rise up the Dorset Cricket League.

Ed Nichols has been a part of Martinstown’s set-up since 2000, during which time they have climbed from the bottom division to the top, where they now hope to prise the title from perennial winners, Dorchester. The first team have competed in Dorset’s top tier since 2015, and last season’s third place represents their highest finish to date. Although not underestimating the challenge, Ed is upbeat about the team’s chances for the season ahead. Ed said: “We had a very good season last year and it will be hard to maintain that standard, but we still look at some games which didn’t go our way and think about how we can improve.” Martinstown – or the real MCC as they frequently refer to themselves – have consistently invested in the development of youth players, and the time spent in coaching has certainly paid dividends, and the current crop may just be the best yet. Ed said: “The club has always developed younger players and I was originally a cohort of the youth system. It’s the bedrock of the club and we’re really proud of our record in producing great young cricketers. We accept that we have a fairly small catchment and there are lots of other teams, and you can’t rely on senior players moving to the area and wanting to find a new club, so investing in our young players is by far the best way of ensuring that we are competitive in future.” The first team features many players who starred as the club won the U19s T20 County Cup in 2018 despite being U16s and competing against much older players. “We have some really good players now who are 18, 19, 20, and this is when our investment can really pay dividends. “We understand that they might move away with work, or go to Uni, so these are the sorts of ages when we hope they will make an impact for us. We won’t take anything for granted this season and will have to work hard to maintain the same level as last year, but we are certainly hopeful we can have a good campaign.” “We accept that some will inevitably move on but our focus on youth has given us an amazing production line. A couple of them have really broken through. Will Maltby has been a part of the Dorset T20 set up and Jamie Steward has featured for Dorset U18s. It’s really nice that the pathways are there for our players to move on.” Martinstown is an ECB Club Mark club, in recognition of their excellent standards and dedication to youth cricket. They run regular summer training across all age groups, from Dynamos and All Stars up to U15 level, with some at U15 level often playing in the adult teams. There are between 70-100 youngsters regularly attending training sessions, with many

CULTURE CLUB: Martinstown Firsts and, below, a Dynamos session in front of the club pavilion, an All Stars session and the amazing ground staff Pictures: BRIAN ROSSITTER

the real MCC...

dedicated officials and coaches putting in the hard work to make the club what it is today. Ed said: “We have been particularly good at getting the really young ones and looking to develop their skills. Lee House has done a brilliant job of getting a structure in place and getting some great coaches to work with our young players.” One of the lessons that all players are taught is to play cricket in the right way. Ed said: “We want all players to compete but play cricket as cricket is meant to be played. It’s sometimes difficult when you see that it’s not always the case, but we’re passionate about fair play and doing the right thing.” The club won the league Spirit of Cricket Award in 2018, and this ethos is backed up on the club website, with the rhyme: Hard but fair, and win or lose A winsome smile displayed Martinstown play cricket, As cricket should be played. For details on joining Martinstown Cricket Club, please see the club website martinstown.playcricket.com

n Club history: Page 64

MARTINSTOWN CRICKET CLUB FACT FILE

Founded: 1928 (Reformed 1988) Ground Lower Ashton Farm, Winterbourne Monkton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9HA

Club Officials Jim Godding: Club President & Project Co-ordinator Jon Murden: Chairperson Ed Nichols: Club Captain Lee House: Youth Manager & Coaching Ambassador Martin Fitzgerald: Club Safeguarding Officer Alec Bailey: Honorary Treasurer Rachel Bailey: Membership Secretary Ryan Blair: Honorary Fixture Secretary Patricia Bailey: Honrorary Secretary Paul House: Head Groundsperson

Teams First XI: Dorset Cricket League Premier Division Second: XI Dorset Cricket League Division 3 T20: Dorset & District Evening League Division 1 Friendly XI U15 (mixed) West Under 15s U13 (mixed) West U13s U11s West U11s U9s West Under 9s All Stars Dynamos

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By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The history of the Martinstown Cricket Club can be traced back to 1928, when games took place in a field to the West of the village in 1928, under the captaincy of a Mr Westmancott. Matches then moved to a pitch behind the Reading Room, now the Parish Office, where balls would regularly end up in the pond at the edge of the pitch with local children earning a halfpenny to retrieve them. The war interrupted all cricket in 1939, and it would take until 1953 before Don Gould was instrumental in reforming the team, and a return to its former pitch, owned by the newly-installed President, Dennis Dunford. Pavilions were old shepherd’s huts and the boundaries were short and somewhat unusual. They included a tree marked with a four below the line, and a six above, and a cattle trough on the hill which was inside the boundary, with four being scored if the trough was hit or the ball landed in it. Legend has it that, despite the short boundaries, one away team was bowled out for just 17, only for Martinstown to still fall short by four runs. The team flourished during the 1950s and 1960s, winning the Dorchester and District Evening League Second Division, with Tony Groves as captain, and notable players including the Bull brothers from Steepleton, fast left-arm bowler Les Walbrin, the Parker brothers, Rodney and Nelson, Ron Allen, Bob Gibbons, Stan Pearcy, and Steve Slade. Interest declined in the late sixties, and the pavilions fell into disrepair, and the club tried to enlist players from other villages, however the club was wound up in 1975. A new dawn for Martinstown came in 1988, when village newcomer John O’Brien, along with current club president Jim Godding, were instrumental in reforming the club. Initially they led a nomadic existence, playing just away games as their former pitch had been chopped in half to allow access to Eweleaze Dairy. The club then used Dorchester Rec for practices and matches, after this, the Rugby Club, and finally the pitch at Herrison Hospital. This was to remain the home ground until the end of 1999 season, when they finally got a place they could really call home. Martinstown’s long-held ambition was to have a ground of their own and they finally achieved this goal in 2000, with the purchase of a field at Ashton. Funding for the purchase came from a variety of sources, including the National Lottery, English Sports Council, West Dorset District Council and the Dorset Cricket Association, and club member and supporters volunteered huge amounts of time to make it what it is today. Captain Ed Nichols said: “It was like a ploughed field to begin with and it’s taken so much time and commitment from so many people. We have amazing ground staff and an amazing committee, and it’s fantastic that we own our own ground.” The club joined the Saturday leagues shortly after acquiring the field at Lower Ashton Farm. Starting in the bottom division, Division 8, the club took just 12 years to achieve Premier League status in 2015, under the captaincies of David Ennals, the late Nick Quintrell, Lee House, Danny Dancer and Ed Nichols. A second XI was introduced in 2010, currently playing in Division 3, thanks to numerous dedicated captains, including Matthew Rimmer.

When a cattle trough marked the boundary

GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM: Martinstown’s ground as seen from Maiden Castle and, below, winning the Dorchester Evening League Cup in 2009 and, right, league champions in 2019 Pictures: BRIAN ROSSITTER

DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Broadstone CC 134 all out (37.3 overs) Dorchester 1st XI 138/2 (21.4 overs) Dorchester 1st XI win by 8 wickets Dorchester CC 20 points; Broadstone 3 points Dorchester 1sts chalked up maximum points as they began the defence of their title, producing a consummate allround performance to ease past Broadstone inside 22 overs. Opener Simon Mitchem led the way, scoring an unbeaten 47, with support from Michael Peak (22 not out), Gautham Rajendar (21) and Jim Ryall (20). Earlier, Dorchester’s bowlers had restricted the home side to 134, with Billy Baker registering 3-13, and James Dunham and Jack Owens bagging two wickets each. Saathvik Kondreddy and Caleb Rowe each scored 30, but with only two other batters reaching double figures, the total looked well below par, and Dorchester made short work of the chase.

Sherborne 1st XI 233 all out (49 overs) Cattistock & Symene 162 all out (37.2 overs) Sherborne 1st XI win by 71 runs Sherborne 20 points; Cattistock & Symene 8 points Sherborne 1st X1 won their opening game in the Dorset Cricket League Premier Division, earning a maximum 20 points in a 71-run victory against Cattistock and Symene. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Sherborne lost two early wickets but recovered from 14-2 to post a competitive total. Mark Roca top-scored with a stylish 51, with good support form Mike Kennedy (37) and Emlyn Kuhn (39). Debutant Jake Elsworth added a useful 22 as Sherborne were bowled out for 233 after 49 overs. Cattistock and Symene struggled in the face of some disciplined Sherborne bowling, losing wickets at regular intervals in their innings. Opening bowler, Tim Durston, returning to the side, produced figures of 3-18, and was backed up by Paul Hancock with 3-27, and Jake Elsworth, who weighed in with 2-16 to cap a good allround performance. Oliver Nicholas top-scored for the hosts with 31, and George Wyrill added 30 in an attractive cameo down the order, but Sherborne’s total never looked under serious threat.

Puddletown CC 170 all out (49.3 overs) Martinstown CC Ist X1 174/3 (25.4 overs) Martinstown CC win by 7 wickets Martinstown 20 points; Puddletown 4 points Martinstown made short work of chasing down 171 to beat newly-promoted Puddletown in their opening Premier Division fixture, winning by 7 wickets in under 26 overs. Club captain, Ed Nichols, starred for the visitors with a breezy 62 off just 49 balls. Aided by the short boundaries, Nichols struck five sixes and seven fours, and shared an opening stand of 78 with Sean Williams (20). Despite losing both openers, and William Maltby cheaply, Gordon Wint (49 not out) and Teddy Andrews (28 not out) saw Martinstown home with room to spare. An under-strength Puddletown, missing some key first-choice players, had earlier won the toss and elected to bat. Opener, Robert Snow, top-scored with 40 off 118 balls, while the rest of Puddletown’s top order struggled to score freely in the face of some disciplined bowling. Steven Chaldecott (30) and Ryan Norman (19) added some much-needed momentum with a quick 51run partnership for the seventh wicket, but their final total of 170 looked somewhat below par. Sam Kershaw was the pick of the Martinstown bowlers with 4-45.

Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI 232/8 (50 overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI 134/9 (50 overs) Wimborne & Colehill CC win by 98 runs Wimborne & Colehill CC 19 points; Bere Regis CC 6 points Bere Regis 1sts earned 6 points in their opening game, despite falling to a heavy defeat at home to a strong Wimborne & Colehill side. The visitors made steady progress to build a challenging total, with opener Colin Randall (59) helping to lay down a platform, followed by some hitting from James Miller (61) and Joe Welch (32 not out). Richard Payne finished with 4-50 for the home side. Wimborne bowled accurately throughout and took regular wickets to make the run chase look increasingly unlikely. Sam Goodhew scored an excellent 51, but lacked any real support, although the final pairing of Jacob Kennard and Brian Keegan dug deep to bat out the overs, and secure two valuable bonus points.

DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

Beaminster CC 1st XI 184/9 (45 overs) Parley 2nds 155 all out (39.3 overs) Beaminster CC win by 29 runs. Beaminster CC 19 points; Parley 2nds 6 points Beaminster Cricket Club opened their account in Division 2 with a hard-earned win against a stubborn Parley side. After losing the toss and being invited to bat on a hard, grassy wicket, Beaminster slipped to 14 for 2 after openers Will Moss (0) and Chris Park (5) were dismissed inside the first 5 overs. Tom Fowler and Ross Baker quickly followed them back to the pavilion, leaving the home side precariously placed at 474. Debutant Ben Golledge batted stoically for 20 overs making a priceless 21, which saw off the Parley front line bowlers, before swatting a full toss straight to mid-wicket, which brought together Beaminster stalwart, Simon Jones, and young talent, Adam Moss, who built a crucial partnership of 74 in 14 overs. Jones was removed for a stylish 32, with Moss falling soon after for a fine 47. The tail wagged somewhat to leave Parley with a target of 184 to chase, with Harry Avorth the pick of the Parley bowlers returning 5-35. The visitors started well to reach 32 without loss, before Lahiru Abeywickrama, struck in his first over in Beaminster colours, trapping Avorth LBW for 10. Lahiru snaffled another victim soon afterwards, aided by a fine catch from a diving Ross Baker at extra cover. Opener David Doust and Matt King steered Parley to 94-2, before young leg spinner Henry Everitt produced a beauty to remove Doust for 44, then dismissed King in his next over for 17. Beaminster then took a grip on the game, courtesy of some tight bowling from Edmunds, Jones, Baker and Nick Hollely. Regular wickets fell, including two in one over from Hollely, to leave the away side in trouble at 134-7. The home side duly polished off the tail to secure a Beaminster win by 29 runs, with Hollely (3-28) and Lahiru (3-19) the pick of the bowlers.

By ANDREW LIVINGSTONE

Recently-retired Bridport Rugby stalwart Brett Chant has been reflecting on his 32 years with the club, which has seen him pull on a Blues jersey over 600 times. Prop forward Brett –affectionately known as Chanty - started with the colts in the 1980s before hanging up his boots just shy of his 50th birthday. Achieving his first senior appearance in the 1989/90 season, Brett explains how he made his debut for both the first and second teams on the same day, and was on the winning side in both games. Brett said: “We had an Easter touring side down and I played the first game for the seconds; finished, changed and got a couple of pints in me to watch the first team play next. “Tank Harvey got injured 15 minutes into the game and with no replacement loose-head prop, I had to get changed and played for the first team.” Originally a scrum-half at school, Brett played across the front row of the scrum whilst making some second team appearances at inside centre. “For the seconds, I played inside centre and after a few injuries I ended up alongside Rhys Thomas for the firsts. We were a couple of units. I’ve played in many good teams over my years. No particular team stands out, but all the Southern Counties teams were excellent, and Brett Frampton was the best player that I ever played with. One team I was in got to the fifth or sixth round of the National Cup after beating Bracknell. I made the Saturday Mail the following round only to say that I wasn’t playing after a clavicle injury the week before.” Jokingly, Brett adds that the team probably would have won if he was playing, as they lost by just five points. Despite drawing the attention of rival clubs, Brett remained loyal to Bridport. Brett said: “I was asked to play for the Dorchester First team back in the day; they said it would be my ticket to Dorset caps. But, I declined, as I wanted to stay playing with all my mates. I’ve probably played against several hundred props over the years. “Hopefully they’d say: ‘He’s a tricky customer with a good technique who could play a bit and don’t forget the great dummy and fantastic hands’.” Brett has always worked hard at his fitness to cope with the rigours of playing in the front row, and to enjoy such a long career in the heart of the action is truly remarkable, but he knows the time is right to call it a day. “I decided to retire before the 50 mark as I am old and broken from playing so many years.” Brett suggests that his now-free Saturday afternoons will be will be spent doing jobs around the house, although he is looking forward to joining other retired players at the club, while cheering on the Blues. “A big thanks must go to my Vanessa, and to my kids Euan and Emily, for supporting me and letting the old boy play for so long.”

HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW: Brett Chant is carried aloft by his Bridport teammates after his final game for the Blues Pictures: STUART BRIGGS Brett bowing out after 32 years and 600-plus games

Bridport RFC hosted rugby players from the French town of Lège CapFerret as part of an exchange partnership between the two clubs. Players at U13, U14, U15 and U16 took part in joint training sessions at the Brewery Ground on Saturday, before competing in pulsating combined matches on the Sunday. Both games produced some high-quality rugby and cemented relations between the two clubs. The French backs impressed with their speed, technical ability and excellent handling skills, while the host’s players seemed stronger defensively and put in some meaty tackles somewhat mirroring the recent Six Nations. Medals were awarded to all participants and Man of the Match awards went to Bridport’s Billy Hannam (U13/U14) and Will Dacey (U15/U16). The weekend was not all about the rugby and there was time for the visiting players and coaches to enjoy some local food and entertainment, with RIB blasts courtesy of Lyme Bay Rib Charter and a hike over the cliffs to Freshwater Holiday Park, among the highlights. The players were also treated to a traditional Sunday lunch at Highlands End Holiday Park, with sticky toffee pudding proving good at breaking down the language barrier.

VERY WELCOME: Players from Bridport RFC and Lège Cap-Ferret at the clubhouse and, right, action from the U15/U16 match Pictures: STUART BRIGGS

Club’s French connection in exchange partnership

Mixed fortunes for bowling club as season opens

By Laura Taylor

Bridport Bowling Club’s ladies started their County League programme on Tuesday, May 3, with a trip away to Dorchester. Games consist of two rinks this season, and a close game on both rinks, saw Ali Tibble’s team draw, while Marion Carter’s team narrowly lost by just three shots. For Bridport’s men, two teams were in action for Bridport on Friday, May 6. Bridport A entertained Portland Victoria in the South Dorset League, and produced a strong performance with all three rinks winning. The honours went to Chris Thorne, together with Brian Medland, Keith Brooks and Barry Shortland, winning by an incredible 17 shots. Meanwhile Bridport B travelled to Portland Borstal, where the rink of Pratt, Bourne, Carter and Smith jumped into an unassailable lead, finishing 10 shots clear. The other two rinks trailed for most of the match and had the job of trying to reduce the deficit, with Tom Tocher’s crew eventually losing by a single shot. Steve Bartlett’s team picked up a four on the penultimate end, to help Bridport to an overall win of 53 shots to 49, taking six of the possible 10 points. Bridport played a mixed friendly against Yeovil, with honours even at two winning rinks a-piece. Top rink honours went to Bob Seadon, David Alcock and Steve Crimp, who won by an amazing 19 shots. The last friendly of the week was at home against South Petherton. Again two winning rinks and two losing with Bridport winning overall by three shots. Top rink on this occasion was Brian Rumble, Jean Seadon and Joan Griffiths. n bridportbowling club.org.uk

Car trial fans travelled from across the country to Crewkerne for the British Championship qualifier organised by the Woolbridge Motor Club. Charlie Dovey produced two scintillating performances at the wheel of his Renault Clio winning the Windwhistle event, held the previous day and going the WWW Cup for wins across both events. Whilst young Dovey, driving solo in the Clio, was amassing trophies, his father Winterbourne Steepleton farmer Tim debuted a new rearengined Toyota MR2 sports car within Class 1 which catered for twowheel drive machines not carrying ballast. The 1800cc machine, also driven by Tim’s 15-yearold daughter Evie on her first trial, proved to be more than competitive in the wet and slippery conditions which prevailed. Tim was the only driver not to gain penalty points on the first test of the day and then proceeded to build an advantage of six points over reigning British champion Trevor Moffatt driving a Vauxhall Corsa. The second round of eight tests enabled the Dorset driver to increase his lead to ten points prior to the lunch break. The Front Wheel Drive division, the best supported class with 18 drivers, saw a similarly positive start in testing conditions from Charlie Dovey who finished the first eight tests level with Gary Preston, two times British Champion and the early leader in the 2022 British Trials and Rally Drivers Car Trials championship, in his 903cc Fiat 127. As with most competitors, the duo reduced their penalty count by approximately 50% as they completed the second round but now Preston had eked out a lead of one point with Simon Harrison in third place on fifty-four penalties in his Volkswagen Golf GTi trailing his adversaries by six points. Regular competitor Mark Hoppé took on the Clerk of the Course duties and offered a drive in his Dutton Melos to the car’s previous owner Duncan Stephens who displayed his familiarity with the machine in an emphatic manner right from the start despite the testing ground conditions and light rain. At the completion of the first round the Gunnislake driver had only dropped 14 points and then improved on that performance with only four penalties on his second tour of tests. Seven-time British champion Barrie Parker ran second at lunch but a massive 37 points in arrears with Poole driver Jim Forsyth in third place in his VW Beetle, in turn a single point ahead of another Melos, this time with Philip Thomas at the wheel. At the resumption Stephens equalled his second-round tally of four points to finish on a total of 22 and win the Golden Springs Trophy for first place overall and the Best Performance by a Motorsport UK Trials Championship Contender. Parker finished 57 points adrift to take the class win eight points ahead of Forsyth. The final eight tests were make or break for Charlie Dovey who has recently passed his driving test and was aware that he had ‘a few cricket scores’ from the morning’s tests. Quietly confident, he executed the final eight sections with three cleans and the loss of 11 points which was only bettered by the Melos mounted Stephens. Double champion Preston had no answer to the youngster with the loss of a further six marks meaning Dovey claimed third in the Woolbridge trials championship with 33.7 points compared to his father, who was crowned champion, on a total of 41.4 points. Series runner-up, Bridport’s Gary Morris drove his Vauxhall Corsa into second slot with 37.8. Charlie Gamblen won the Novice Award driving a Citroen AX. In the 2WD category Dovey senior completed the final stanza of tests for the loss of fourteen points, eight up on Moffatt to take the class win and complete a winning weekend for the Doveys.

WIN DOUBLE: Charlie Dovey in the Clio and, below, dad Tim in the Toyota MR2

A Doveys double